In a move celebrated by frequent travellers, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently launched the much-anticipated FASTag Annual Pass. This new initiative, which took effect on August 15, offers private vehicle owners a convenient and cost-effective solution for toll payments. For a one-time fee of just ₹3,000, users can enjoy up to 200 trips on national highways and national expressways throughout the year. However, as travellers enthusiastically adopt this new pass, a crucial detail has emerged: it is not valid on all expressways and highways.
The Fine Print: Where the Fastag Annual Pass Doesn’t Work
While the new FASTag Annual Pass provides significant relief and convenience, it’s essential for users to understand its limitations. The pass is primarily designed for tolls under the direct jurisdiction of NHAI. Therefore, it does not cover several prominent expressways and state-run highways.
Here is a list of major expressways and highways where the FASTag Annual Pass will not be accepted:
- Yamuna Expressway (Uttar Pradesh): Connecting Greater Noida to Agra, this expressway is a popular route for tourists and commuters but operates under a separate authority.
- Purvanchal Expressway (Uttar Pradesh): A key route linking Lucknow to Ghazipur, this expressway is managed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and is not part of the NHAI’s network.
- Bundelkhand Expressway (Uttar Pradesh): This expressway, connecting Etawah to Chitrakoot, also falls outside the NHAI’s jurisdiction.
- Agra Lucknow Expressway (Uttar Pradesh): Another UPEIDA-managed project, this expressway is not covered by the new annual pass.
- Samruddhi Mahamarg (Maharashtra): The Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, while a national asset, operates under a state-level authority and is not integrated into the NHAI annual pass system.
- Mumbai-Pune Expressway: One of India’s oldest and busiest expressways, this route is managed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and is not included.
- Atal Setu (Mumbai): This sea bridge, a marvel of engineering, is also under state jurisdiction, and therefore, the annual pass will not be valid for its tolls.
- Other State Highways or Toll Roads: Any state highway or toll road that is managed by a state government or a specific state-level authority will not accept the NHAI FASTag Annual Pass.
Why the Discrepancy? Understanding Jurisdictions
The primary reason for these exclusions is the difference in ownership and management. While the NHAI manages a vast network of national highways, several of the new, high-speed expressways have been constructed and are maintained by state-level government bodies, such as UPEIDA in Uttar Pradesh or MSRDC in Maharashtra. Each of these state authorities has its own toll collection and revenue model, which is separate from NHAI’s system.
Therefore, for travel on these specific routes, vehicle owners will still need to maintain a separate FASTag with a sufficient balance or use a dedicated pass if offered by the respective state authority.
A Smart Move for Travellers
Despite these limitations, the launch of the FASTag Annual Pass remains a highly beneficial development for a large section of Indian road users. For just ₹3,000, private vehicle owners get to utilize an extensive network of NHAI-managed roads, which cover a majority of inter-state travel routes.
This single-fee model simplifies toll payments, reduces travel friction, and offers significant cost savings for frequent travellers. The initiative is part of a broader government push to streamline digital payments and make highway travel more seamless and efficient.
For the modern traveller, the key takeaway is to plan ahead. While the annual pass is a great tool, confirming its validity on your intended route is crucial to avoid any inconvenience at the toll plaza.